Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 31, 2026 Everett residents to participate in 2026 Pan-Mass Challenge to support cancer research Special to The Advocate T his year the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) will bring together more than 6,000 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers on August 1-2 to raise money for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Participants from local communities will be among those helping support the PMC’s mission to fund lifesaving cancer research and treatment. The Everett participants are Chris Juaire (https://profile.pmc.org/ CJ0104) and Maureen Pirone (https://profile.pmc. org/MP0381). The PMC, which raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraiser in the world, is aiming to raise more than ever this year, with a fundraising goal of $79 million. This year’s PMC comes at an especially critical time, with federal research support shrinking, grant approval rates reaching historic lows, and cancer cases continuing to rise. For the 20th consecutive year, 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar will go directly to Dana-Farber, one of the nation’s top three hospitals for cancer research and care. “The theme for this year’s PMC, which is ‘now, more than ever,’ underscores the paramount importance of every single dollar raised in fueling the search for a cure,” said PMC Founder & Chairman Billy Starr. “We are endlessly grateful to every rider, volunteer, donor, and sponsor who makes the PMC possible. Because of their training miles, long hours of volunteering, generous support, and unwavering commitment, we are moving ever closer to a world without cancer.” Since its inception in 1980, the PMC has raised $1.125 billion for Dana-Farber, making it the organization’s largest single contributor and accounting for 67 percent of the annual revenue of The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber’s community-driven fundraising arm. This unrestricted annual funding has empowered and accelerated advancements in cancer research, deeply benefitting patients across the world. During each annual PMC weekend, thousands of cyclists and volunteers come together from across the world, hailing from 47 U.S. states and 12 countries, with a shared purpose of raising as much money as possible for Dana-Farber. Cyclists ride routes ranging from 25 to 177 miles. Included among these participants is the PMC Living Proof community: riders and volunteers who were previously treated or are currently undergoing cancer treatment and serve as Living Proof of the progress made through raising funds for cancer research and treatment. Learn more at PMC.org. CHA Breast Center earns national recognition for patient care NAPBC reaccreditation demonstrates CHA’s commitment to improving comprehensive breast care C ambr idge Health Alliance (CHA), a community health system serving Cambridge, Somerville and Boston’s metro-north communities, has received a threeyear reaccreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program of the American College of Surgeons. Programs accredited by the NAPBC follow a model that facilitates multidisciplinary, integrated and comprehensive breast cancer services. The NAPBC focuses on the spectrum of a patient’s journey with breast cancer or breast disease, including prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship. By setting high standards, NAPBC accreditation guides breast centers in providing comprehensive breast care based on the best available scientific evidence. NAPBC accreditation shows that the Cambridge Breast Center meets the highest national standards for breast care. Following a rigorous survey process, the center was recognized for providing comprehensive breast care, access to the latest treatment options, a multidisciplinary approach to care, opportunities for clinical trial participation, and patient education and support services. CHA was the first program in Massachusetts to receive accreditation in 2009, and has consistently been reaccredited during each cycle since. “Maintaining any NAPBC accreditation reflects the Cambridge Breast Center’s commitment to delivering high-quality evidence-based and compassionate breast care,” said Cambridge Breast Center Director Michelle Haslinger, MD. “National accreditation reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, continuous quality improvement, and adherence to regular standards. This helps ensure that our patients receive comprehensive care—from screening and diagnosis through treatment and survivorship—from a team dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes.” In addition to having a NAPBC-accredited Breast Center, CHA is an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality. Visit https://www.challiance. org/ for more info about CHA.
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